May 18-19, 2024

12:00 – 5:00 pm EST 

About the Retreat

In this weekend retreat, we will explore the Buddha’s teachings on buddha nature and the fundamental truth that we are “already awake.” 

Out of fear, we have tried to cover our awakened heart, but its brilliant and spacious presence keeps escaping and shines out into the world. Sometimes this brilliance feels weak or nonexistent, but in fact, it is always shining fully, even on our darkest days. This profound Buddhist teaching was controversial, regarded by some as a pacifying teaching for those too fearful to face the fathomless space of emptiness. In our tradition, it is regarded as the “lion’s roar”—the fearless proclamation of unconditioned awareness.

Our weekend will ground itself in the sitting practice of meditation enriched by the compassion practices of the Four Limitless Ones and tonglen (sending and taking). We will delve into the heart of emptiness or openness, to which buddha nature is said to have the unique relationship of fullness. There will be walking meditation (inside and outside), talks with question/answer, small discussion groups, and spontaneous creativity.

We will use Chögyam Trungpa’s short but potent seminar, Glimpses of Mahayana, as our guide. The seminar of six talks is now republished with three other early seminars in a wonderful collection entitled Glimpses of the Profound, which it is highly recommended to purchase.

Retreat Topics

• The practices of sitting and walking meditation
• The Buddha’s teaching on buddha nature and that we have a “luminous mind” that is always present in us—whether we are aware of it or not!
• What is preventing us from experiencing our buddha nature
• Exploring the traditional Buddhist compassion practices of “The Four Limitless Ones” and tonglen (translated as “sending and taking”)
• Excerpts from Chögyam Trungpa’s book Glimpses of Mahayana

Live Sessions include:

• Guided meditation
• Guided contemplation
• Talks by an experienced dharma teacher
• Discussion groups
• Question & answer periods

Prerequisites

Open to all.

About John Rockwell

John Rockwell has been on the path of dharma for 47 years. He met Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche in 1975 and studied and practiced the Buddhist and Shambhala teachings for 12 years with him, and in particular worked with him on translating Tibetan texts into English. For ten years, he studied and taught at Naropa University in the Buddhist Studies department. For many years, he served as an acharya or senior teacher for Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche and also studied intensively with Khenpo Tsultrim Gyamtso Rinpoche. His inspiration now is to open the heart and senses on the spot.